Saltwater Church Newsletter August 14, 2020
Worship
Church zoom room go to saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
Each Sunday we are offering online worship through zoom at 10:30 am. For any of our worship services or meetings, you can join by computer or by calling in on your telephone. You can find more information about how to connect through zoom towards the end of the newsletter.
August: What does it mean to be a people of Journey?
Throughout the month of August we are exploring what it means to be a people of journey. Where are you on you on your spiritual journey?What is our story as Unitarian Universalists? Who do we journey with? How is the journey different when we go together? Join us to explore!August 16: “Moving, Hand in Hand,”
Rev. Christopher Wulff, Westside
August 23: “Companions on the Journey: Blessing of the Animals,”
Rev. Kristen Kuriga, Saltwater UU
August 30: “The Journey of Collaboration,”
Rev. Nancy Reid McKee, Rev. Kristen Kuriga, Rev. Christopher Wulff, Rev. Zackrie Vinczen
Blessing of the Animals
On Sunday, August 23, join us to celebrate the blessing of the animals. This is an opportunity to honor the connection we have with our beloved pets, and to express our gratitude and well wishes for the friendship and care they bring to our lives. There will also be a time to honor and remember pets who have died. We are creating a slide show of members of our congregations with their pets. If you would like a picture included, please send it in an email to: minister@saltwaterchurch.org with “Blessing of the Animals” as the subject. Photos are due by Monday, August 17. We also invite you to bring your pets to worship with you so we can see them and bless them in our live zoom service!
Ways to Live Our Values
Share the Plate for August: UU the Vote Partner Organization
Half of all undesignated basket donations received in the month of August will be shared with the UU the Vote partner Center for Common Dreams and their Reclaim Our Vote initiative. You can learn more about the campaign here: http://centerforcommonground.org/main/index.php/campaigns/reclaim-our-vote. You can make a donation to the basket through the donate button on our website: https://saltwaterchurch.org/stewardshipstewardship-overview/stewardshipdonate/ or mail a check to the church office with “basket” in the memo line: Saltwater UU Church, 25701 14 Pl S., Des Moines, WA 98198.
Living our Values through UU the Vote
Around the country, Unitarian Universalists are organizing to #UUtheVote, working to increase the participation of millions of disenfranchised eligible voters-especially people of color. UU the Vote (uuthevote.org) is a national campaign working with the non-profit Center for Common Dreams. Their Reclaim our Vote initiative is engaging voters who are prevented from exercising their electoral rights through voter suppression and voter list purging. Volunteers inform and mobilize voters in the six most affected states, to make sure they are registered, and they know how to get a ballot and vote. We can live our UU values by working to ensure that all voices are heard in the democratic process, and that we work for policies that increase love, not hate.
Weekly Reclaim our Vote phone banking
Training provided for volunteers each Monday afternoon. Learn more and sign up here:
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/reclaim-our-vote-signup
Voter Turnout Postcard Campaign
Are you willing to write 20 postcards to ensure our democracy? You’ll receive training, script, cards, and postage. Kits will be distributed weekly at the Stance for Racial Justice or can be delivered if needed. Please reach out to Amanda, acradak@gmail.com if you are willing to take on 20 postcards.
If you would like to learn more about getting connected with UU the Vote, you can also contact Susie Dong: susiepoetdong@gmail.com, Amanda Radak: acradak@gmail.com, and Mary Neysa Peterson: maryneysapeterson@gmail.com
Sound Alliance Assembly
Sound Alliance is hosting its first virtual assembly on Tuesday, August 18, at 6:30 pm. Come hear what we’ve been up to, including our work on immigrant rights, debt collection relief and the Social Connections Project. For more information please contact Diane Dobrowolski at dddobrowski@gmail.com Hope to “see” you there!
Action: Write Postcards
Are you willing to write 20 postcards to ensure our democracy? UU the Vote is working to engage voters in key states, so they know how, where and when to vote. You’d receive training, script, cards, and postage. Kits will be distributed weekly at the Stance for Racial Justice or can be delivered if needed. Please reach out to Amanda, acradak@gmail.com if you are willing to take on 20 postcards.
Stance for Racial Justice
Show up and shine bright for racial justice every Sunday in August! Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.
8/16, and 8/30 in Puyallup from 2pm-4pm. At the intersection of 136th and S. Meridian (near post office and Sonic restaurant).
8/23 in Des Moines from 2pm-4pm. At the intersection of 272nd St. and Pacific Highway (near Jack in the Box and Arco gas station). Contact Colette DeMonte at colette.demonte @gmail.com for more information.
Federal Way Day Center Donations Needed
The Federal Way Day Center for homeless adults is providing important support to our local community while practicing social distancing. You can park in front of the Day Center and call (253-893-7895) and someone will come out to pick up the donations. 33505 13 Pl S behind the Multi-Service Center.
Climate Message of the Week
Eat less meat, especially beef. Food accounts for a sizable portion of our emissions. If you want to make cuts here, your best option is to reduce your consumption of meat, especially beef. That’s because a pound of beef is responsible for some 18 times the emissions of a pound of pasta. An average family of four that decides to cut their meat intake in half could avoid roughly three tons of emissions annually.
Sound Alliance (Church zoom room) meets monthly on the 2nd Saturday 10:00 – 11:30 am
SCAN!(Saltwater Climate Action Now!) (Church zoom room) meets monthly on the 1st Sunday noon – 1:30 pm
Ways to Connect
Al-Anon Support Group (church zoom room)
Mondays, 6:30-7:30 pm
Creative Hands (church zoom room)
Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30 pm
We will support one another in our creative ventures, as well as discuss ways that we can help our communities during this time.
Meditation Group (church zoom room)
Tuesdays, 8-9 pm
Join the meditation group on zoom to help nourish your spirit. The group will have a teaching, sitting meditation, walking meditation, and an opportunity to share.
Writers Group (church zoom room)
Wednesdays, 9:30 am- 12pm
Support Circle (church zoom room)
Thursdays, 12:30-1:30 pm
Over Eaters Anonymous (church zoom room)
Fridays, 5-6 pm
Saltwater Church Chalice Circles have formed.
Two new Saltwater Chalice Circles began in July and will last through September. Chalice Circles have been an important part of Saltwater Church for many years. The Chalice Circle program deepens and broadens personal spiritual growth. The goals are to listen and be listened to in a safe place, learn about the mysteries of our world and our spiritual paths, and build new and deeper personal connections.
These two Circles are full, but we plan to start more Circles after September. If you are new to Saltwater Church and/or would like more information about them, you are welcome to contact me.
-Susan Aigner Growth and Learning Team Lead susanaigner@comcast.net
Support Is Available
Do you need support? Please let us know, we want to help. Are you feeling lonely or isolated? We can connect you with a lay minister or another member of the congregation. Are you in a higher risk group and do not want to venture out to the grocery store? We may be able to connect you with someone in your neighborhood to help you get the supplies you need. If you have lost income from being sick or unable to work, or do not have enough money to buy extra food and supplies, the Minister’s Discretionary Fund is available for one-time emergency support for members and friends of the church. Contact Rev. Kristen: minister@saltwaterchurch.org. Do you need to go to work but don’t have childcare? Are there other needs that your family has? Please be in touch with Melinda: melinda@saltwaterchurch.org.
If you are in need of emotional or spiritual support, you can reach out directly to a Lay Minister:
Debra Valpey debravalpey@gmail.com
Mike Yanega: bowfinboy@gmail.com
Lynn Crow: lynncrow1@gmail.com
Toska Rodriguez: toska_r@hotmail
Support for Children, Youth, and Families
Family Ministries Zoom Room https://zoom.us/j/2349227683?pwd=aG4yL3RRb240UjJyWUR1Y2p2V0lQUT09
Religious Education Class for Kids and their Grown-Ups
(Note the class address.)
Sunday mornings at 9:30 a https://tinyurl.com/NUUC-SUUC-RE
Junior and Senior High Youth Group
(Note the class address.)
Sundays at 12 pm, https://tinyurl.com/NUUC-SUUC-RE
Family Support Circles
First & Third Mondays, 7:30-8:30 pm
Family ministries zoom room
All Ages Movie Nights
Saturdays, starting at 7 pm
Kid-friendly movies, all ages invited. Join us!
Family ministries zoom room
Parents Facebook Group
You can also connect with other Saltwater Church families with children and youth for support through the Parents Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SUUCFamilyMatters/
From the Board & HCT
HCT Guidelines for Having Difficult Conversations
https://saltwaterchurch.org/stay-in-the-loop/healthy-congregation-team-guidelines-for-having-difficult-conversations/
Upcoming Events
Social Distancing Grounds Work Parties!
Work at your own pace on your own schedule! For more information see https://saltwaterchurch.org/uncategorized/social-distancing-grounds-work-party/
We need help to maintain the property. We need to weed, and we are staining the Lighthouse deck and stairs. Please come out to enjoy our beautiful campus on your schedule, using social distancing protocol. It’s a beautiful place in need of your loving touch.
Ongoing Fundraising Opportunity
Purchase handmade cards by Joanne Stonebraker. Find more information here:
https://saltwaterchurch.org/uncategorized/fundraiser-for-suuc/
General Information
How to Access the Church Zoom Room
To access Zoom, go to saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/zoom-room/
and click on “To join a meeting-click here.” Or from the main church webpage, select Zoom Room from the drop down menu under “news and events” on the top menu bar. If this is your first time using Zoom, follow the prompts to download the application to your computer.
If you would prefer to join by phone, dial 1-669-900-6833 and enter Meeting ID: 736 142 4210 when prompted. You may need a password. If you do not have the password, please contact Melinda: melinda@saltwaterchurch.org
If you have a smartphone, you can download the Zoom app and join with Meeting ID: 736 142 4210 for video and audio connection. You will need a password. If you do not have the password, please contact Melinda: melinda@saltwaterchurch.org
Saltwater Church Building
The church building is closed to all in-person programming, groups, and meetings. Staff are working from home. Staff members will be going by the property to collect the mail and to check on the campus. Planting Flowers has resumed providing essential childcare support to families.
Please Note: Additions to the newsletter must be received by noon Wednesday to be included in that week’s newsletter. Send your submissions to administrator@saltwaterchurch.org or use the website form at https://saltwaterchurch.org/calendar/calendar-request/